Steering mechanism for self-propelling machines.



.No- 830,721; PATENTED SEPT. 11, 190 6.

G'. W. KIN-G, H. J. BARNHA BT & O. B. KING. STEERING MECHANISM FOR SELFPROPBLLING MACHINES.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 10. 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W a: Maw f g Q N Q I k6 No. 830,721. BATENTED SEPT. 11, 1906. G. W.KING, H. J. BARNHART & C. B. KING.

STEERING MECHANISM FOR SELF PROPELLING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEIT. 10. 1904.

v 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Zi Q i I 6mm;

5 SHEETSSHEET 3.

PATENTED'SEPT. 11, 1906.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.10.1904.

G. W. KING, J. BARNHART & G. B. KING. STEERING MECHANISM FOR. SELFPROPELLING MACHINES.

No. 830,72I.

Witnesses No. 830,721. PATENTED SEPT. 11, 1906.

- G. W. KING, H. J. BARNHART & c. B. KING. STEERING MECHANISM FOR SELFPROPELLING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.10. 1904.

' 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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. avwenl'ozlr MryJBT 7 Z%WMM v 8%., (Zarieafljfz'n g, JWIAA i I aliiozneit Witneowo PATENTED SEPT. 11; 1906. NHART & G. B. KING.

No. 830,721; G. W; KING, H. J. BAR

STEERING MECHANISM FOR SELF PROPELLING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.10. 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

-' To all whom it may concern: a

HARRY J. BARNHART, and CHARLES B. citizens of the United. States,residin fiN A ES PATENT-OFFICE.

GEORGE" W. KING, HARRY J. BARNHART. AND CHARLES. B. KING, or

MARION. OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE MARION STEAM SHOYEL'COM- PANY, OF MARION,OHIO.

STEERING MECHANISM FoFi SELF-PROPELLING MACHINES.

No. 30,721. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 1, 1906.

Application filed September 10, 1904. Serial N 223.969.

KING, KING,

Be it known thatwe, GEORGE W.-

rion, in the county of Marion and tate of Ohio,'-have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in' Steering Mechanism for Self-PropellingMachine s, ofwhi'ch the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to steering mechan- -is1n for self-propellingmachines, being designed for use more particularly in connection withsteam-shovels of thetraction type which are adapted to propel themselvesover the surface of the.

. broken away and partly in horizontal'section. Fig. 2 is an endelevation, partly in vertical section. Fig. 3 is a side elevation withthe axle in section 'a'nd-one' of the wheels removed. :Fig. 4 is-a planview of the cylin ders with the valve-chest top and valve removed. -Fig.5 is a view of the under or working face of the valve. Fig. .6 is asectional view .of the valve and valve-chest, taken along a linecorresponding to the line 90 x of Fig.4 and looking in the'direction .of

the arrows. Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the valve-chest, valve,and cylinder,

taken on a line corresponding to the line y y of Fig. 4 and looking inthe direction ofthe.

arrows; an Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the cylinders and theirassociated parts with the cylinder-heads removed.

Referring to the said drawings, 1 indicates the frame of a steam-shovelor other selfpropelling machine or vehicle, and 2 indicates thesteering-wheel axleywhich iscentrallypivoted to the main frame-by meansof a horizontal pivot 3 (indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1)andextending longitudinally of the at Ma-- E which the axle i tica lly.i axleis free to tilt on its gfixedtransverse plane ito adapt itself toinequalities of the ground or roadway without becoming displaced frommachine. The axle is preferably square in cross-section, as shown, andthe body 1 is provided at each side with brackets 4, between passes andis free to play ver- 5 5 By reason of this construction the longitudinalpivot, firmly supported in a and is therefore free butis at the sametime its true transverse position. On each end of I ;the axle there isswiveled a journal or sleeve pin 6, which lies in the. central f of thewheel when this latter is 5, connected to the axle by avertioalpivotvertical plane in position on gthe journal. The journal 5 isprovided on its outer part with a bearing-sleeve 7 of relatively smalldiameter, and said sleeve is pro- Tvided atits inner end with flathorizontal'qo having a reduced bearing-surfaces 8,. which fit and bear,re-

'spectively, on the flat upper and, under sides of the end of the axle,as shown in Fig.

2. The extremityof the axle is preferably rounded off, as indicated at9, to permit a 7 5 sufficient range of motion of the journal around itspivot. From this point inward the journal'i'ncreases in diameter,forming a second bearing-sleeve 10 of larger diameter than thebearing-sleeve 7 and terminating in a shoulder 1 1, against which thehub. of the wheel abuts. g The wheel (indicated as a whole by therefence-numeral 12 is provided with a hub 13,

portion 14 tofit the-sleeve the inner end of i7 and an enlarged portion15 to fitthe sleeve ,10 and abut against the shoulderll. .The'

wheelis :held in position on the journal by means of a terminal cap 16.The enlar ed inner end of the journal is provided wit transversehorizontal slot, with bearingsurfaces 17 at the top and bottom thereofto fit upon the flat upper and under sides .of the axle as it issuesfrom the journal. .The journal is provided with an arm or extension 1.8,5

preferably on the'lower portion of its inner' end, by means of which thesteering power is applied to the journal, so as to turn upon the pivot6.,

It will, be noted that the pivotal axis of each steering-wheellies inthe central plane of the wheel, so that said wheel may be readto theaxle.

ily turned without rotating it or causing it to travel over the groundin such 'a way 'asto change its position, as is the case where thepivotal axis is eccentric to the Wheel. It will also be observed thatthe wheel is firmly supported on the axle by reason of thebearingsurfacesof the journal fitting on and bearing against the flatupper and under surfaces of the axle, so that t e wheel cannot wabble ordepart from a plane of rotation at right angles firmly supported on thejournal by reason of its two bearings at the extremities of the hub.

Our present invention relates more particu-' larly to the means wherebythe position of the wheels is controlled for the urpose of steering thevehicle, and this mec anism we shall now= rocee'd to. describe. Itcomprises a steam cy 'nder 19, in Whichis 'locate'd a piston-20,provided with a iston-rod 2'1.

'22 indicates ;a second cast in one piece with the cylinder 19 andcontaining a non-compressible fluid, such as oil or the like.Thiscylinderalso contains a piston, (indicated in dotted-linesat 23.in'Fi'g. 1,) said piston having a piston-rod 24, which is so connectedto thepiston-rod 2-1 as .to move in unison therewith.

25 indicates a valve-chest, which is preferably '=mounted on top of thecylinder 19, said valve-chest being provided on one side of its centrallon itudinal 1 lane with cylinderports 26an' 2'7 and-an'intermediateexhaust port 28. Steam is admitted to the upper part of the valve-chestfrom any suitable souroeysuc'h as the boilerof the steam-shovel,

duit'38 with'oneend ofthe-cylinder 22, and

by means of a pipe 29. Apipeor conduit 30 leads from the *port 26 tooneendof the cylinder 1-9, and-a i e 31.'leads frcm theport27 to theother on oi the cylinder 19.

preferably inclined or die onal, as shown.

The chamber'33 is'connecte by-a .pipe or con thechamber 34 is connectedwith the-other end'of said cylinder 22 by-a pipe or conduit.

-39. ln'one of'these'pipes there is provided-a controlling-valve 40, bymeans of which the fiowof the oil or other liquid may be regulated, asdesired. Within the valve oham her is located a slide-valve 4'1, whichis 'held down to its seat by means of the pressure of the-steam above itand which is rovide'd with-avalve-stem42, through whic it may be-movedtoanydcsired.position through the medium of any suitable operatingmechanism. This valve is provided-omits under or working-fa'cewith-azport or assage 43 in the form of-a-grooveor-recess, yingonthesarne side of the central longitudinal plane ofthe valve Furthermore,the wheel is cylinder, preferably ment of the 32 indicates an eX-haustipe, connected =0 the other side eec ai as the ports 26, 27, and 28so'that the movement of the valve in either directionfrom the centralposition (shown in Fig.7 will place one or the other of thecylinder-ports 26 and 27 in connection with the live-steam supply, .atthe same time connecting the other one of said ports with theexhaust-port 28. In this way. the piston 20 may be made to move ineither direction and to. any; desired position within the cylinder 19. Te valve 41 isfurther provided on that side of its under face 1 'ng onthe other side of its central longitu- (iiiial plane with two ports orrecesses 44 and 45, registering, respectively, with the ports 35 and 36and separated by a partition 46, which is prefera ly incline in adirection the reverse of the inclination of the partition 37. When thevalve 41 is in the central or looking position, (shown in Figs. 6 and7,) the two partitions 3-7 and 46 register in such a way as to out oiiall communication between the chambers 33 and 34, and consequently allcommunication between the opposite ends of the cylinder 22. In thisposition of the parts the non-compressible fluid prevents allmovement-of the piston, and-since the steam-piston 20 is so connected tothe piston 23 as to move only in unison with it it will be seen that thesteam-piston is also positively locked-and that it may be locked in anyposition to which it may be moved within the cylinder 19 bybringing thevalve 41 to the locking position. (Shown in Figs. 6 and 7.) Movement-oithe valve 41 in-either'direction, so as steam-cylinder, will at the sametime open up communication between the chambers 33 and 34, and thuspermit both istons to move as desired. The diagonal arrangeartitions 37and 46 insures the opening of this communication at the very beginningof the valve movement simultaneously with the admission of steam to thesteam-cylinder. It will further be seen that the locking of thesteam-piston and the unlocking of the same are automatically performedby the same movement of the valve which cuts ofi or opens up the supplyof steam.

The transmission of the movement of the piston 20 to the steering-wheelsmay be effected in any desired manner; but we prefer for this purposethe construction which we have devised and which is shown in theaccompanying drawings. It comprises a horizontal steering beam or lever47, centrally pivoted on a vertical pivot 48 on the under side of theframe or body '1. To one end of this lever the steam-piston rod 21is-connected by a-link 48, the piston-rod 24 being-con-v nected to thesame end of the lever by a link 49, this connection being in the presentinstance the means whereby the pistons 20 and 23 are-caused tmmove inunison; Each-end of the lever 47 is connected to the arm 18 of ITO thecorresponding steering-wheel by a conwhat we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a steam cylinder and piston, of a liquidcylinder and piston, said pistons being connected to move together, aconduit connecting the ends of the liquid-cylinder, and a singlereciprocating valve having port on the opposite sides of thelongitudinal enter thereof controlling the steam-supply and the flow ofliquid through said conduit respectively, whereby both aresimultaneously opened and closed, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a steam cylinder and piston, of a liquidcylinder and piston,

. said pistons beingconnected to move together,-a conduit connecting theends of the liquid-cylinder, a single reciprocating valve having portson the opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof controlling thesteam-supply and said conduit respectively, whereby both aresimultaneously opened and closed, and a separate valve for regulatingthe flow of liquid through said conduit, substantially as described 3.The combination, with asteam-cylinder, a piston therein, and apiston-rod connected to the part to be controlled, of a second cylindercontaining a non-compressible liquid, a piston in said liquid-cylinderhaving a rod connected to} the steam-piston rod so as to cause the twopistons to move together, a

steam-supply connected to both ends of the steam-cylinder, a conduitconnecting the ends of the liquid-cylinder, and a single reciprocatingvalve having ports on the opposite sides of the longitudinal centerthereof controlling both the steam-supply and the liquid conduit,whereby said conduit is closed when the steam-supply is cut off and oened when Q the steam-supply is opened to e1 her end of the steamcylinder, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a steam-cylinder, a piston therein and apiston-rod connected to the part to be controlled, of a second cylindercontaining a non-compressible liquid, a piston in saidliquid-cylinderhaving a rod connected to the steam-piston rod so as tocause the two pistons to move together, a steam-supply connected to bothends of the steam cylinder, a conduit connecting the ends of the li(uid-cylin'der, a single reciproeating valve having ports on the oppositesides of the longitudinal center thereof controlling both thesteam-supply and the liquidconduit, whereby said conduit is closed whenthe steam-supply is cut off and opened when the steam-supply is openedto either end of positions of the steeringthe steam-cylinder, and asecond valve regulating the rate of flow of the liquid through saidconduit, substantially as described.

.5. The combination, with a steam-cylinder, a piston therein, and apiston-rod connected to the part to be controlled, of a second cylindercontaining a non-compressible liquid, a piston in said liquid-cylinderhaving a rod connected to the steam-piston rod so as to cause the twopistons to move together, a valve-chest having a steam supply andexhaust, steam-passages leading to the ends of the steam cylinder, aliquid-conduit connecting the ends of the liquid-cylinder, and a singlereciprocating valve having ports on the opposite sides of thelongitudinal center thereof, one of said ports being adapted to connectthe steamsupply with either end of the steam-cylinder and the exhaustwith the other end of the steam} cylinder, and also to close thesteam-supply to the'cylinder, the other port of said valve controllingthe liquid conduit, closing the same when the steamsupply is closed andopening the same when the steam-supply is opened in either direction,substantially as described.

6. The combination,with a steam cylinder and piston and a liquidcylinder and piston, the two pistons connected to move together, of avalve-chest having a steam-supply above the valve, cylinder-ports and anintermediate exhaustport on one side of the valve-seat, saidcylinder-ports connected respectively to the two ends of thesteam-cylinder, two ports on the other side of the valve-seat, connectedrespectively to the end of the liquid-cylinder, and a slide-valve havingports or passages in the form of recesses in its under t ace, one'sideof said valve eon-. trolling the steam-ports,wherebyboth cylinder-portsmay be closed, or either cylinderport may be connected with thesteam-supply and the other cylinder-ports with the exhaust, the otherside of the valve controlling the liquid-ports, whereby communication isestablished between said liquid-ports when steam is admitted to thesteam-cylinder and cut off when steam is cut off from the steamcylinder,substantially as described.

7. The combination, with a steam-cylinder and piston and a liquidcylinder and piston,

the two pistons connected to move together,

of a valve-chest having a steam-supply above the valve, cylinder-portsand an intermediate exhaust-port on one side of the valve-seat, saidcylinder-ports connected respectively to the two ends of thesteam-cylinder, two ports on the other side of the valve-seat, connectedrespectively to the ends of the liquid-cylinder, and a slide-valvehaving ports or assages in the form of recesses in its under ace,one-side of said valve controlling the steam-ports, whereby bothcylinder-ports maybe closed, or either cylinderport may be connectedwith the steam-sup- &

ply and the other port with the exhaust, the' I other side of the valvecontrolling the liquidports, whereby communication is estabished'between said liquid-ports when steam is admitted to the steam-cylinderand cut off when steam is cut off from the steam-cylinder, the liuid-ports of the valve-seat being separated y a diagonal partition andthe cooperating valveorts being separated by a similar artition 0reverse inclination, substantial y as described.

8. In a mechanism of the character described, a valve-chest having avalve-seat in one side whereof are formed two cylinderports and anintermediate exhaust-port, said" valve-seat having in the other" sidetwo liquid-ports separated by a diagonal partition,

, in combination with a steam-supply above the valve, and a slide -valveada ted to close both cylinder-ports when centra and having a port orrecess in one side of its under face, whereby, when said valve is movedin either direction from its central position, it will open one'of thecylinder-ports to the.steamsupply and connect the other cylinder-portwith the exhaust-port, said valve having, in the other side of its underface two ports or recesses separated by a artition having an inclinationthereverse 0 that of the cooperating valve-seat partition, wherebycommu: nication' is cut off between the liquid-ports Iwhen'the valve iscentral and opened as soon as the valve ismoved from its centralposition, substantially as described.

9. Two cylinders, one for steam and the other for a non-compressibleliquid, pistons in said cylinders connected to move together, avalve-chest, a reciprocating valve therein having ports on the oppositesides of the longitudinal center thereof, one, of said ports controllingthe admission and distribution of steam to the steam-cylinder, and aliquid-com duit connecting, the ends of the liquid-cylinder through saidvalve-chest, the other port of said valve. controlling saidliquid-conduit whereby said conduit is closed when steam is shut offfrom the steam-cylinder, substantially as described." 9

10. Parallel steam and liquid cylinders arranged side-by side, havingpistons and piston-rods connected to the same moving part so as to movetogether, a liquid-conduit con-.

necting the ends of the liquid-cylinder, and a reciprocating valvehaving ports on the opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereofsimultaneously controlling the supply of steam to the steam-cylinder andthe passage of liquid through said liquid-conduit, sub-'

